Health Psychology and Behaviour (8736.2)

Please note these are the 2024 details for this unit
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Health Psychology and Behaviour
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
Online real-time
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Psychology Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 1 2021 (Pg Clinical Psychology)
Band 2 2021 (Prof Pathway Psychology-After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 2 2021 (Prof Pathway Psychology-Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 2 2021 (Standard Course Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
Band 4 2021 (Standard Course Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
This unit introduces students to the theories, research and applications of health psychology. There will be a specific focus on understanding the causes, prevention, and management of health challenges and promotion of health behaviours. The unit emphasises the interactions between biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors and processes in influencing health and illness. Drawing upon latest theoretical perspectives and research, the unit will also explore critical advances in health psychology, and transformative and traditional healing approaches. This unit will be of value for students from a range of mental and physical health professions.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Articulate the relationship between psychology, behaviour and health;
2. Trace the development of health and illness approaches;
3. Identify and critically discuss the biological, psychological, and social factors and processes influencing health and illness;
4. Apply the key theories and research approaches employed in health psychology; and
5. Design and evaluate health promotion strategies.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

4309 Psychology 101 OR
4310 Psychology 102 OR
11399 Understanding People and Behavior OR
10444 Foundations of Psychology

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

9830 Psychology for Health Professionals

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Dr Petra Buergelt
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Online real-time Dr Petra Buergelt
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Petra Buergelt
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Online real-time Dr Petra Buergelt
Not available

Required texts

Required Textbook

 

Morrison, V., Bennett, P., Butow, P., Mullan, B., & Sharpe, L. (2018). An introduction to health psychology in Australia (3rd ed.). Melbourne: Pearson.

 

 

Required Readings

 

The required readings for the second half of the unit will be provided on the Canvas site.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

To get most learning out of this unit and to accomplish the marks you desire, you need to engage in:

  • reading the textbook and provided journal articles and chapters
  • two weekly 2h Zoom lectures and workshops
  • Canvas modules
  • critical reflections tasks, questions and riddles AND 
  • assessment tasks

Please note that the lectures/workshops will be recorded and uploaded onto Canvas in the corresponding weekly module.

Required IT skills

This unit involves online lectures and workshops using Zoom. This delivery format allows you to interact in real time with your lecturer and other students. 

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Each Monday, I will post an annoucement that guides you through the week.

All announcements made on UCLearn (Canvas) will be deemed to have been made to the whole group. As such, any notice posted in them is considered to be known by all students.

You are expected to consult these announcement at the very least once a week.